Free Me From My Chains (ClassMare)

Memories of The Departed (Alternate Ending)

The moment he awoke, everything was different. The normal cell was gone from view and he found himself placed on a soft bed. Confused, he rose slowly before feeling the heavy weight around his arms. Glancing, he scowled as chains rattled as he fought against them. Irritation was apparent on his face as the rattling only grew louder, alerting the figure in the hall. The moment the door was pushed open, Classic felt himself cower slightly. Dream stood tall, an almost proud air surrounding him.

"Good morning. Hope you slept well!" Classic gave a venomous 'tch' before looking away.

"Oh yeah, totally!" He spoke the last part in a whisper, sure to avoid detection. "If death is what you meant." 

"So, I came to try to make a deal, to avoid any form of violence. I want you to help me!" 

"I already turned you down. What makes you think I'm going to change my mind from you asking repeatedly?" Dream's mouth twisted into an unsettling grin as he turned, his voice reaching Classic.

"We'll see about that. You'll come around, I just know it!" Classic wanted to speak but found his words failed to exist. Frowning, he turned away as the door was shut and locked. Again he was left alone. Alone to his own darkened mind.

Dream moved slowly down the hall, his gaze shifting to Ink who was leaning on the corner of the hallway. He gave a weak smile before following Dream to their destination. 

"Are we really doing this?" 

"Are you scared? Feel guilt? Well, don't. This has to happen!" Ink nodded slowly before glancing back. He had spent some time thinking over everything. Too often he believed he was in the wrong, but each time Dream pulled him from his thoughts.

"Sorry Dream..." 

"Don't worry about it. This will be our victory, I know it. We need to break his spirits in order to get through, so proceed with the plan." Ink again nodded before breaking off, his sockets narrowing slightly. There was truly no coming back from this.

He moved toward the dungeon area before descending the stairwell. Upon entering, Ink found both sets of eyes boring holes into him. Giving an uneasy sigh, he fiddled with something in his pocket. His gaze fell onto Error, who was less than happy to see him. It was understandable.

"Why are you here? Come to gloat?" Ink scowled before removing his keys. Carefully he unlocked the door before entering, his hands pulling the syringe from his coat. Error glanced at it before struggling against the chains.

"Calm down... This will only be more painful the more you struggle. Honestly, this is a way for you guys to get out." The words stilled Error's movements as Ink gave a genuine smile.

"What do you mean?" 

"I mean, Dream is letting you guys go... Not for good reason, but it is still his plan. He wanted you both dead, but I gave him a different solution. I'm sorry." There was a long silence before Ink approached, his hand gently pulling out Error's soul. It was broken in areas, but still intact. He noticed before desperately trying to get it back. Ink frowned before pressing the needle into it, Error letting out a slight yelp. His sockets fell dark rather quickly as he fell limp, Ink feeling himself tremble slightly. Carefully, he pressed the soul back in before leaving the cell, his gaze shifting to Error. Even though they were enemies, he still found a deep fondness for the guy. He just hoped someday he would be forgiven for his actions. Without another thought, he entered Horror's cell. He just wanted this all to end.

Classic had remained silent as he watched out the window. The sun was high in the sky, the clouds slowly rolling by. He could hear the constant yelling along with the bells chiming out. Knowing not what it meant, he ignored it. At least until footsteps hurried to his room. His head snapped to face his visitor as Ink was breathing heavily. 

"Classic?" The tone in Ink's voice drew concern as he nodded.

"What's wrong?" He frowned as he calmed himself, leaning against the door. His eyes showed slight sadness as he spoke.

"I thought... Did Error or Horror arrive here?" Classic felt his face drop, sockets falling dark.

"No... Did something happen?" Ink rubbed his face as he exhaled a shaky breath.

"This morning they escaped. Dream figured they'd come to get you..." Tears gathered in Classic's sockets as he felt his body grow weak. Ink noticed the sudden pain in his expression, his feet carrying him closer. "I'm so sorry! I didn't think they would abandon you Classic..." 

"But... They promise me. Promised to protect me, as family..." Ink's hands pulled Classic closer as he pressed the sad skeleton against him. He rubbed circles on his skull as he comforted Classic. The sudden presence behind him drew his gaze, Dream's expression malicious. He smirked before leaving in silence, sure to avoid alerting Classic he was there. Ink felt himself shrink slightly. He felt horrible. But this was needed. Classic wouldn't obey orders unless he lost everything.

"It'll be okay Classic, I promise." 

An hour had passed before Ink left the room. Classic merely watched out the window, a blank expression on his face. The once calming air was replaced with despair. The plan had worked, but the toll was greater than anyone could have anticipated. Classic cut himself off entirely, ignoring everything directed his way. His eyes remained dark, empty. No amount of effort could sway Classic from the deep pits within his own mind. He was broken in more ways then Ink had planned for. His once expected use was diminished to nothing. To everyone, he was a empty shell. Disconnected from reality.

"How is he?" Ink turned to face Blue, a sad expression on the skeleton's face.

"He's lost in his own world. Honestly, I think we messed up bad this time. I checked his soul and found it was cracked. He won't last at this rate..." 

"There has got to be something we can do, right?" Ink shook his head. 

"Unfortunately, there isn't a thing we can do. He is lost to reality, no longer among us. He's so engulfed in the darkness and despair in his soul, that I'm afraid he may never resurface." Blue frowned before tears gathered in his sockets.

"So this was all for nothing? We became the bad guys and started a war, merely to have nothing to give the advantage?" Ink nodded as he closed the bedroom door.  He moved slowly down the hall, glancing back momentarily to see Blue chase after him. Neither knew what to say. It was all over. They had nothing on their side and a war in days. It was game over.

Or so they all thought. Truth was, the plan worked. But it was more potent than anticipated. Classic had slipped from his humanity, throwing aside his morals. In his current state, death was nothing. He was a vassal of destruction. Something Dream learned first hand.  No one expected a kingdom to be flattened in mere moments. Hundreds slaughtered. All by the hands of the 'weapon' Dream wished to harness. It had been everyone's mistake. They believed Classic was to be a weapon for use, but he was more than that. He was the key to extermination. He was the bringer of the end. Nothing would remain, so long as he walked the plains.

To Nightmare, Classic remained a love he held deep within. To Dream, Classic was the fall of his kingdom. To the world, Classic was a message. 

A message that nothing is as it is. To love what you have and not seek what others may own. 

Greed was the key to the fall of everything. 

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Hope you enjoyed! This ending was vague, but if you need an explanation, please do ask! I do not mind explaining it better to you all. Any who, thank you to all who stuck with this story. It was a fun story to write!  <3